Sustainability Superstar
2022 AWARD FINALIST
Sponsored by NZI
MyNoke began 15 years ago, when founder Dr Michael Quintern was working as a soil scientist. He had a big idea for finding an environmental solution to waste disposal at an industrial level.
Michael has a passion to enhance the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand soils whilst diverting volumes of organic waste from landfill. Michael first developed a trial worm farm to accept and process large volumes of pulp mill fibre waste at a Waikato-based mill. Then MyNoke was born.
Waste materials from industry and local councils are sent to vermicomposting sites. Carefully managed proportions of ‘dry’ (paper) wastes are mixed with ‘wet’ (nitrogen-rich) food and biosolid wastes to create the optimum diet for a range of earthworms. The earthworms process the waste and reduce it by approximately 80%. As a result, a rich and valuable soil conditioner, called ‘Vermicast’ results. This is sold to agriculturists and gardeners to improve soil productivity.
Michael has led the business in diverting over one million tonnes of organic waste from landfill. The aim now is to achieve one million tonnes diverted from landfill per year. Michael is committed to educating councils, iwi and the public on sustainable, organic waste management and providing a closed loop solution.